The 36-year-old mum said that the girls had been granted permission to complete the challenge.

The Tesco worker added: "I understand that the girls didn't listen to instructions, and that the school is the superior authority, even though they had previously been given the go-ahead, but I have more of a problem with the way it has been handled."

They returned to class at Smithdon High School on Wednesday following their exclusion, which school officials have described as "positive".